AUSTIN, TEXAS -- The 90th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays are here! From March 29 to April 1, all levels of track and field will flood the state capital of Texas and give hardcore track fans a reason to brave the sun and humidity at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
But MileSplit is here to offer you some timely suggestions once you arrive in Austin. Among the things you must know once you arrive in the state capital: cowboy boots are welcome, ingesting tacos are a must and as always, run fast and throw far.
Need some tips about food? What about post track entertainment? What sorts of things should you avoid in Austin? Well, now that you ask....
Bryan Deibel: One of my favorite places for a nice little post race snack. You can get warm delicious gourmet cookies and ice cream. Or, if you're feeling real adventurous, you can combine the two for my favorite: an ice cream sandwich!
Address: 2322 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
Barton Springs is the perfect place for a nice post or pre-run ice bath. The temperature stays 68-70 degrees year round and is one of the best swimming holes in the city on warm spring days. According to the city's website, "The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming." While there, stop by Zilker Park and check out some awesome views of the city and enjoy the sun.
Address: 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Hours: 5AM-10PM
Bryan Deibel: Mandola's Italian Market, in my opinion, has some of the best Italian food in the city. It's a great place for a pre-race carbo load. The portion sizes are good and the menu is affordable for big city eats. If you're not too afraid to have a little desert the day before your race, their gelato is out of this world good!
Address: 4301 W William Cannon Dr. E-1, Austin, TX 78749
Billy Cvecko: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery is one of the coolest places in the city. And it's where Austin keeps it weird. The gallery has all kinds of graffiti and you can even make your mark on the city (with a Paint Pass). According to the gallery website, "It is the only paint park of its kind in the USA and was developed to provide muralists, street artists, arts education classes and community groups the opportunity to display large scale art pieces driven by inspirational, positive & educational messaging."
Address: 1101 Baylor St, Austin, TX 78703
When in Austin, why not stop by the Capitol or take a stroll down Congress with some awesome views of the city.
Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
9AM- 8PM Weekends
The bridge is home to the world's largest urban bat colony. Stop by the Congress Avenue bridge to see one of the coolest sites in Austin as over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats head out over the evening sky just before dusk.
Address: Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Dusk, right before the sun goes down.
Bryan Deibel: The classic barbecue joint that everyone thinks about when they hear Austin BBQ is Franklin. Franklin's undeniably good -- but be prepared to wait; the lines can sometimes stretch blocks long and the wait time can be as high as four hours. Instead, try this: Micklethwait Craft Meats. There's not a crazy line like Franklins and the prices aren't crazy, either.
Address: 1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11AM--6PM
Sunday 11AM--3PM
Billy Cvecko: One of the best places to run in Austin is Lady Bird Lake trail, or as people who live here call it: Town Lake trail. It's a combination of crushed granite and a concrete surface that spans 10 miles around the downtown portion of the Colorado River. The trail offers great views of the river as well as downtown and it's a great spot for a little pre-race shake out run or post race long run before heading back home.
Hours: Opened from dawn to dusk.
I-35 is one of the worst roads in the city to travel on. If you have to take the road make sure to give yourself plenty of time cuz traffic can get crazy.
And if all else fails, HAVE FUN AND RACE HARD!
